16th May 2016

Interview: Kia Utzon-Frank

– By Milly Burroughs

Now that mid-May is suddenly upon us we can’t help but fantasise about the many innovators and designs heading for Clerkwenwell Design Week 2016. Aside from the usual array of meticulously styled showrooms and jaw-dropping installations, we’re increasingly excited for the launch of design week debutante Clerkenwell London’s new exhibition. Not known for greeting expectation with obedience, Clerkenwell London has curated Design Undefined, a celebration of blurred boundaries and upturned conventions.

Joining the likes of materials specialist Seetal Solanki and London Design Guide editor Max Fraser, creative polymath Kia Utzon-Frank will take over The Keep, Clerkenwell London’s glass-cased showroom, to launch her new brand KUFstudios. Comprised of a variety of projects, including a bespoke version of her Louvre Twisting Comb shutter system, KUFstudios is Kia’s new personal brand that collates and highlights her cross-genre approach to design. We caught up with Kia as she prepares for the exhibition.

Design Undefined celebrates rule-breakers and innovation. Why is this important to you?

I don’t think breaking rules is important for me as such. I’m more just making up my own rules. I think it’s important to do things the way that works for me, and as I rarely know what it is exactly I’m doing I’m asking people for advise constantly. Then I use what’s useful and forget about the rest. I guess it’s a life-long process.

As you launch KUFstudios, how do you think rigid genre definitions and the labelling of creatives impacts the work of young designers?

I actually think there’s an immense amount of freedom to carve your own niche in London. In Denmark where I’m from it’s much more expected that people stick to what they do, that made me a bit of a misfit. Coming to London was quite a relief as every time I came up with something people were extremely quick in connecting me to someone that could help me with what I was trying to achieve. The launch of KUFstudios is a direct result of this and I have actually only had very positive feedback on my decision to not focus on one project, not get a “proper job” and instead embrace the diversity of the very different projects I’m working on.

Your design work extends across food, fashion and design. Are there are recurring themes or philosophies that you apply to your projects?

Basically I just make things that I like and find interesting. I have developed an idea generating method that I use if I’m in an inspiration void. I leave everything I’m working on and start doing a model a day of whatever piques my curiosity. All the projects I’m working on have arisen from this method. Apparently it works in other fields too. My innovationRCA advisor and now good friend, Max Comfort, was in a year long writer’s block and I urged him to try and write a page a day of just anything. He did, and one month later he was one chapter away from finishing the book.

What or who has been the biggest influence on the work you are presenting at CDW16?

I’m always looking at Heatherwick and Olafur Eliasson as their way of working with and approaching design and art has been a huge inspiration. They play around until something happens. I kind of want to be Thomas Heatherwick.

What are you most looking forward to seeing?

If I get the chance I want to see what my pals from InnovationRCA, H furniture, are up to. Other than that I can’t wait to see what my fellow exhibitors will be showing. In my opinion Ma-tt-er is one of the most interesting initiatives to have happened to design and material research, so I’m quite happy to be exhibiting in the room right next to the founder Seetal Solanki.

Complete your free registration for Clerkenwell Design Week 2016 right here.

Above and Below 1: Kia Utzon-Frank's KUFcakes will be available throughout CDW at 155 Bar & Kitchen, photography by Owen Silverwood 2 and 3: Kia has designed a bespoke KUFtwist bling for the main window of Clerkenwell London, 4 and 5: Her amazing string sculptures, 6: Along with fellow exhibitor Seetal Solanki, Kia will be hosting a marble paper workshop on Thursday 26th May, 7: Beautiful gradient KUFjewellery